Istanbul has become famous worldwide as the “city of cats” in recent years. And it’s true; there are hundreds of thousands* of stray cats in Istanbul, and many of them live better, are better fed, and even receive healthcare at times compared to their counterparts in other cities around the world.
* In 2019, the New York Times estimated that over 125,000 cats were roaming free in Istanbul. But the real number, and I say this as someone who has been rescuing stray animals in Istanbul for almost 10 years, is much higher-perhaps more than double that- as of 2024.
But is everything perfect in Istanbul for our furry friends? Of course not.
Having dedicated nearly a decade of my life to rescuing, feeding, treating, and neutering street animals (including many other creatures like hedgehogs, seagulls, and sparrows) in Istanbul, I must point out that, although Istanbul’s cats are relatively lucky, the situation is not always as rosy as it seems when you dive deeper into the reality.
Health Problems in Istanbul’s Stray Cats
Especially in areas where cats do not have access to regular care and veterinary check-ups, feline immunodeficiency and FIP are common diseases. Additionally, nearly all stray cats have issues with internal and external parasites.
Many cats suffer from respiratory infections caused by viruses like feline herpesvirus and calicivirus. These infections spread easily among stray populations.
Eye infections are also common due to poor hygiene and exposure to bacteria. Kittens are especially vulnerable and may suffer from chronic eye conditions that can lead to blindness if untreated.
Chronic kidney disease is relatively common in older cats, and strays have a higher risk due to dehydration, poor diet, and lack of veterinary care.
Plus, Istanbul’s traffic is very heavy, so many stray cats in the city are hit by cars, killed, or injured while navigating the urban landscape.
Istanbul Cats in Touristy vs. Non-Touristy Neighborhoods
First of all, the scenes that have earned Istanbul its global reputation as the “city of cats” (videos and photos) are typically shot in “touristy” districts, where tourists frequently visit. These areas are generally more affluent, with residents who are better educated and have a cultural level at least somewhat above the national average. Therefore, their attitude towards street animals is more tolerant. I believe there are two main reasons for this:
- Better-educated people tend to read more books, travel more, and as a result, develop stronger empathy skills, which extends to street animals and cats as well. Of course, there are always exceptions – educated people can still be hostile to animals, but I am speaking in terms of general trends and averages.
- Empathy alone isn’t enough. When people’s income levels rise, they have the luxury to think beyond their own immediate needs and can afford to help street animals.
So, there’s another side to the coin. In the non-touristy neighborhoods of Istanbul, which are less affluent, the situation of street animals is not always as hopeful. Due to lower educational and income levels, people may have less empathy for street animals, or even if they do, they often lack the financial means to feed or treat them. Again, this is an average, and there are always exceptions.
Many strays living in these neighborhoods struggle to find adequate food, leading to malnutrition, especially in areas with fewer people feeding them. This weakens their immune system and leaves them vulnerable to disease.
Not all poorer, non-touristy neighborhoods are the same either. Demographics play a role. In general, neighborhoods with a high population of people who migrated from eastern parts of Turkey tend to have more challenging conditions for street animals. This is largely due to cultural perspectives. In Middle Eastern cultures (including eastern Turkey), animals -especially dogs- are considered “dirty.” Contact with animals is discouraged, and animals are often seen in two categories: those that are for eating or use, and those that are unnecessary, parasitic, and filthy. Cats and dogs fall into this second group. Once again, there are always positive exceptions.
Unfortunately, like every city, Istanbul also has a very dark side. Over the years, I have sadly come across many instances of cats that were horrifically and even perversely killed. I won’t go into detail. In fact, one of these incidents, and one of the worst, happened in the neighborhood where I live. I have little idea of who might have done it. Unfortunately, it could even have been children.
Overpopulation: A Core Problem
One of the main problems facing Istanbul’s cats and street animals is their uncontrolled population growth. This makes it difficult for those who care for and feed them to keep up. That’s why neutering is essential. Local governments need to step in and launch intense, continuous neutering campaigns.
Despite neutering hundreds of cats and dogs in the area where I’ve lived for years (Bahçeköy, near Belgrad forest in Sarıyer district), we’ve only managed to bring their population slightly under control. So, I know very well how difficult it is to control street animal populations. In many areas, the situation is much worse.
[If you’d like to support my efforts to feed, spay/neuter, treat, and protect street animals, you can become a patron on my Patreon account. You can join for just $5 a month, which means feeding a cat for five days or five cats for one day. On behalf of our furry friends, thank you in advance!]
Spaying and neutering are crucial for controlling the population of stray animals, especially in cities like Istanbul. Without it, cats and dogs can reproduce quickly, leading to overpopulation. This results in increased competition for limited resources like food, shelter, and care, making it difficult for those who feed and care for them to keep up.
Overpopulation also leads to more animals living in poor conditions, suffering from hunger and disease. Neutering not only helps manage the population but also reduces aggressive behavior and health risks, creating healthier, more sustainable street animal communities. Continuous efforts are needed to maintain balance.
The Situation of Dogs in Istanbul
Unfortunately, Istanbul dogs are less fortunate than cats. There are two main reasons for this:
- In Eastern culture, dogs are considered even “dirtier” than cats. And,
- Unlike cats, people often see dogs as a threat.
Sadly, a new law was passed in Turkey recently that essentially authorizes the slaughter of dogs. Local governments now have the authority to capture and kill dogs from the streets. More progressive municipalities, like the one in Sarıyer where I live, have refused to implement this law. However, in areas governed by regressive or conservative administrations, the killing of dogs has already begun.
Has the population of dogs increased uncontrollably? Yes, because not enough neutering is being done. Another problem is that people are abandoning purebred dogs (this problem exists for cats too). People buy pets when they are small and cute, but when they grow up and become harder to care for, they abandon them in the streets.
Are dogs dangerous? Absolutely not. 99% of the news about dog attacks is pure fabrication. In many cases, which I have witnessed myself, people misinterpret perfectly normal dog behavior as aggression. I’ve seen people who believe a dog was “attacking” them just because it happened to be walking in the same direction as they were.
For example, in my neighborhood, the dogs run toward me happily when they see me. However, I’ve seen people panic and think that the dog is attacking them simply because they were standing between the dog and me. These people are so disconnected from animals that they can’t distinguish between a dog running joyfully and a dog attacking, and they are hostile to animals. It’s truly frustrating.
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